Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 656,864. Patenfed Aug. 26, I900.

E. s. TITUS.

AGETY LENE GA S GENERATOR.

(Application filed Nov 16, 1899.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheots$heet l.

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No. 656,864. Pat ented Aug. 28, I900. E. S. TITUS.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

{Application filed Nov. 16, 1899.) (No Model.) 5 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

WITNESSE g iNVENTOR ZQWMAJUV'ZZ,

ATTORNEY THE Noams P'ETERS co. mom-urns" wASHmn'rou. 11c.

Patented Aug. 28, I900.

E. $.,T|TUS. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

{Application filed Nov. 16, 1899.1

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

ATTORNEY No. 656,864. Patented Aug. 28, I900. E. S. TITUS.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Nov. 16, 1899.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Fig. 6'.

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il n'rrn STATES,

PATENT Fries.

EDWARD S. TITUS, OF I-IEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,864, dated August 28, 1900. Application filed November 16, 1899. $erlal No. 737,183. (No model.)

To to whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, EDWARD S. TITUS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the town of Hempstead, in the county of Nassau, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Production of Acetylene Gas; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of an apparatus made according to my invention, taken in the line 00 cc of Fig. 4. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a portion of what is shown in Fig. 1, but under a different condi tion. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the same, taken in the line y y of Fig. 4. Fig. 4. is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective View, on a larger scale, of certain mechanism included in said apparatus. Fig. 6 is a sectional view, also on a larger scale, showing certain other mechanism also in cluded in said apparatus. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are detail views, on a larger scale, of certain parts of said apparatus.

This invention relates to the production of acetylene gas, and it comprises certain'novel combinations of parts whereby I produce an apparatus for the said purpose by which I am enabled to use the carbid of calcium in its most economical commercial form-that of large lumps or pieces mingled with more or less comminuted and powdered portionswithoutwaste of material or loss of any substantial portion of the gas produced and without clogging the apparatus in feeding the carbid of calcium thereto and with the further advantage of washin g the gas during the operations of manufacture, and whereby, further, I avoid the use of valves and like devices, which heretofore in the art have been to a greater or less degree considered objectionable in this class of apparatus.

A is a vessel which I term the generator. In this generator is anoutlet-pipe B, which is open at its upper end and which'extends outward from the generator to a gasometer G, as herein presently explained. The generator when the apparatus is in use is nearly filled with water, the latter extending as nearly as may be toward the open top of the pipe B, but not high enough to enter the latter. Arranged adjacent to the upper part of the generator A is aclosed or practically gastight feed-box D. From the lower end of this feed-box to the lower part of the generator extends a chamber, tube, or passage E, said tube or passage providing a clear way of communication from the feed-box to the lower part of the generator. The depressed portions of the feed-box should be enlarged somewhat, as shown at a, to provide room for a revoluble feed-wheel F, the shaft'or axle b of which extends at one end through the side of the feed-box to permit the connection thereto of mechanism for operating the feed-whee1 to feed the carbid of calcium downward from the feed-box into the chamber or passage E. The feed-wheel may be of any desired or suitable construction and serves as a measuring device for delivering regulated quantities of the carbid to the chamber E and thence to the generator. As shown in the drawings, it is formed of two circular heads a b, fast upon the shaft 1), with floats 0 extended from one to the other of the headsin directions radial to the axis of motion of the feed-wheel, as in dicated in Figs. 1 and 2 and in dotted outline on a larger scale in Fig. 7.

The gasometer C may be of any usual or suitable construction, the movable hood or crown C of which works in the usual water seal D. The outlet-pipe B of the generator extends from the latter into the gasometer, as shown at D From this outlet-pipe also extends the service-pipe G,which has a branch waste-pipe G, which may lead to a sewer or other suitable receptacle,and which has a trap or water seal, as shown at d in Fig. 3,. which may have a blow-off pipe G The bottom 6 of the generator may have the form of an inverted cone for the purpose of insuring the concentration bygravity of the lime produced in the generator at the depressed part of said bottom. From this depressed part extends a discharge-pipe E, which may be extended vertically to any desired height and which has at its upper end a pump H, by which the lime, &c., may be pumped out and-withdrawn from the generator.

The purpose of the feed-wheel F being to feed to the generator the carbid of calcium from which the acetylene gas is produced it is requisite that the feeding action of the wheel be such as will supply the carbid in such quantities and proportions as will maintain the proper quantity of gas in the gasometer without undue pressure therein. To insure this, I provide means whereby the feeding action of the feed-wheel is controlled by the movement of the crown O of the gasometer, said crown being of course raised and lowered automatically by variations in the quantity and pressure of gas in the gasometer.

Loose upon the end of the shaft 1) which is extended through the side of the feed-box, as hereinbefore explained, is a sprocket-wheel I. Gearing with this sprocket-wheel at one side thereof is a sprocket-chain K, which has a. weight K", which tends to draw downward the sprocket-chain, and thereby to give a rotary movement to the sprocket-wheel. The sprocket-chain is suspended from one end of the strap E, which is supported upon guidepulleys f, and the opposite end of which isattached to the movable crown C of the gasometer. As this crown moves up and down with the varying pressure of the gas in the gasometer it follows that a vertical movement in the one direction or the other is given to thesprocket-chain. Thislatterconsequently rotates or partially rotates the sprocket-wheel in one direction or the other, according as the movement of the sprocket-chain is in an upward or downward direction. Also loose upon the shaft 1) of the feed-wheel is a second sprocket-wheel L. Laid upon or over this secondsprocket-wheel is a sprocket-chain M, the ends of which are pendent at opposite parts of the circumference of the said sprocketchain. One of these pendent ends of the sprocket-chain M is loaded, preferably by a weight N. Upon the opposite end of said chain is a second load N, which is less in weight than the load N. The load N, tending to draw downward the part of the chain to which it is attached, tends to turn in a corresponding direction the just-mentioned second sprocket-wheel L. The oflice of the inner weight or load N is simply to steady the chain upon the sprocket-wheel and to keep it from being easily displaced therefrom. Upon the face of the sprocket wheel L toward the sprocket-wheel Iis provided a stud or tooth g. Suitably arranged upon the adjacent face of the sprocket-wheel I is a pawl P, arranged to hear at its free end against the stud g. The pawl may be steadied somewhat in its operation with reference to this stud by providing the stud in a radial position on the periphery of a circular disk g, which is fast to the face of the sprocket-wheel L. The sprocket-chain M of the secondary sprocketwheel L is so arranged that its heavier load or weight N tends to draw the said sprocketwheel in such direction that when the pawl P of the sprocket-wheel L is moved as if to recede from the stud g of the sprocket-wheel L the stud follows the receding pawl and is kept in contact therewith, so that any forward or operative movement of the pawl P is at once communicated to the sprocket-wheel L from the sprocket-wheel I. axle b of the feed-wheel F is a ratchet-wheel R. Connected to the adjacent face of the sprocket-wheelL is a pawl'R, the free end of which engages with the ratchet-wheel B. When the crown O of the gasometer rises by reason of increase of volume and pressureof gas in thelatter,the sprocket-ch ain K is drawn downward proportionately by its weight and turns the sprocket-wheel I, so that the thrust of the pawl 'P'of' the said sprocket-wheel against the stud g of the secondary sprocketwheel L causes the two sprocket-wheels,

which, as previously explained, are both loose upon the shaft 1) of the feed-wheel, to turn together. This movement causes the pawl R of the secondary sprocket-wheel to ride over the ratchet-teeth of the ratchet-,

wheel R, so that the latter is not affected nor caused to transmit motion to the feed-wheel, and the supply of carbid of calcium from the feed-box to the generator is stopped. When, however, the crown O of the gasometer moves downward by reason of diminution of volume or pressure of the gas therein, the strap E is drawn backward, thereby reversing the movement of the sprocket-chain K and consequently that of the sprocket wheel I. This pushes forward the pawl P of the said sprocket-wheel, whereupon the motion of the secondary sprocket-wheel L is reversed, so that its pawl R engages with the ratchet- Fastupon the wheel R and turns the shaft 1), and conse- I quently the feed-wheel feeds the carbid of calcium downward from the feed-box until the just-described reverse movement of the parts has ceased. Then as the gasometer rises the stud 9 follows the receding movement of the pawl P, so as to be in position to receive the thrust of the pawl when the movement of the parts is again reversed by a down ward movement of the crown O of the gasometer. The feeding or supplyof carbid to the generator is thus automatically regulated with direct reference to and in proportion to variations in the pressure of the acetylene gas in the gasometer.

To insure the most facile and advantageous passage of the carbid along the-feed box to the feed-wheel and to avoid the tendency to clog which frequently shows itself in the use of large lumps of carbid of calcium by reason of the peculiar frictional character of the surface of the material,I provide a sheet-metal surface to the interior of the feed-box. This may be composed of sheet -iron,and should extend along the bottom and sides of the feedbox,as is indicated ats in Figs. 1 and 2. It is to be understood that when the apparatus is in use the feed-box is closed or gas-tight against the external atmosphere. Openings closed by suitable covers j may be provided in the upper side or top of the feed-box to permit the introduction thereto of the carbid to be used in the production of the gas. These covers may be secured against internal gaspressure in the feed-box by screw-threaded openings or by any other suitable means.

' In the operation of the apparatus the generator and the tube or chamber E are first supplied with water to the requisite height, the surface of the water standing, of course, at the same level in the gasometer'and the chamber. A quantity of carbid from the feed-box being caused to descend into the chamber E meets the water in the latter, and by the well-known reaction acetylene gas is produced within the said chamber. This is continued until the pressure of the gas within the chamber is sufficient to expel the water therefrom into the closed generator, where it mingles with the water previously contained therein. So long as this pressure is maintained in the chamber E the carbid fed through the chamber from the feed-box to the generator passes through a dry atmosphere of acetylene gas and does not come in contact with any appreciable quantity of moisture until at the lower or exit end of the chamber it passes into the lower part of the generator beneath a considerable depth of water in the latter. The carbid therefore enters the water solelyat the lower portion thereof without passing downward through any appreciable quantity of water. The gas is thus generated at the lower part of the generator, and passing through the volume of water above is thoroughly washed by the time it reaches the outlet-pipe of the generator, through and from which it passes into the gasometer. It will be observed that apart from the merely initial production of the gas in the chamber to expel the water therefrom the production of gas occurs entirely within the generator by the contact of the carbid with a large volume of water in the latter and all the gas generated rises through an equal amount of water, and is therefore equally well washed.

It will be observed that as the chamber, tube, or passage E is, except at the initial stage of the operation of the apparatus, filled with acetylene gas, through which the carbid is transmitted from the feed-box to the generator, said chamber may with propriety and for convenience be termed a gas-chamber, and it is so designated in the claims hereof.

To provide for an increased etficiencyin the operation of the sheet-metal lining of the feedbox, it is made somewhat loose within the box and its end remote from the feed-wheel is attached to the bottom of the box, as indicated in Fig. 2 at n, in such manner that the opposite end may to some extent be made to rise and fall, while the bottom of the said lining at the lower end of the box is lapped slightly within the circle described by the floats of the feed-wheel as the latter revolves,

so that each float as it passes upward strikes the projecting edge of the bottom of the lining and raises the lower end of the latter, letting it fall again when the rotation of the float edge of the floats the finer .particles of carbid from the feed-box are conducted with certainty to the feed-wheel and prevented from falling behindor below the feed-wheel,where they would clog or interfere with its action.

In charging the feed-box with carbid access is had to the interior of the feed-box by removing the covers 7' of the openings in the upper side or top of the box. When this is done, the pressure of the acetylene gas in the gas-chamber Eagainst the water in the generator is of course relieved and the inflow into said chamber of water from the generator will expel the gas from the gas-chamber into the outside air were no precaution takento prevent. This precaution is provided by means of a pipe 13, which extends from the feed-box to the gasometer, or, what in effect is the same, to the service-pipe G, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and which is provided with a cock f Normally this cock is closed to shut off communication through the pipe B; but preliminary to opening the feed-box to recharge the same with carbid the cock is turned to open a passage through the pipe. Therefore as the water from the generator rises into the gas-chamber the gas from the latter passes into the service-pipe by reason of the greater pressure of the gas in the chamber. When the water in the gas-chamber has reached the level of that in the generator, the cock is turned to close the pipe B and the feed-boX may be opened for recharging, as described. The pipe G may be furnished with a filter 10 of any suitable type for the gas which escapes through the pipe B.

It should be observed concerning the sprocket-chain M on the secondary sprocketwheel L that the larger or operative load or weight N is designed when the sprocket-chain is not in motion to rest upon a suitable step or support N, which limits the reach of the traction of the said chain upon the said sprocket-wheel, and consequently limits the turning movement of the axle of the feedwheel. The stop may consist of a block or any other suitable device of the requisite height to arrest the downward movement of the load or weight at the desired point in its descent.

It is further to be observed that in practice it is desirable that the sprocket-chain K move at a speed different from, although proportioned to, that of the movement of the crown O of the gasometer. To provide for this,

ICC

any suitable mechanism may be employed as, for example, the strap maybe in two sections, the lower one, with a pulley at its top,

lying in a loop (1 formed by fastening the extremity of the other section to a fixed support a thus making the movement of the sprocket-chain one-half that of the crown of the gasometer.

The generator may be supplied with water from a tank 11 (see Fig. 3) through a pipe 12, said tank being supplied from a pipe 13, having a valve or cock controlled by a float 14, all of a type commonly employed in watersupply apparatus.

The process herein described is covered by the claims of my separate application for Letters Patent filed November 16, 1899, Serial No. 737,182, and now pending. Said process, therefore, is not claimed in this present application,.Serial No. 737,183.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In an apparatus for producing acetylene gas, the combination with a generator for containing water, and a gas-tight feed-box for containing a supply of carbid of calcium, of a gas-chamber constructed and arranged for the transmission of carbid from the feed-box ,to the lower part of the generator, means for measuring the quantity of carbid fed intermittently being located within the gas-tight feed-box at the discharge end thereof, substantially as herein described.

2. The combination with a generator for containing water, a gas-tight feed-box for containing a supply of carbid, and a gas-chamber for transmitting carbid from the feed-box to the lower part of the generator, a feed mechanism for feeding the carbid from the feedbox to and through the gas-chamber,and mechanism for automatically controlling the feed mechanism from a generator, the means for measuring the quantity of carbid fed intermittently being located within the gas-tight feed-box at the discharge end thereof, substantially as herein described.

3. The combination with a generator for containing water, an inclined gas-tight feedbox for supplying carbid of calcium, a feed- Wheel placed at the depressed end of the feedbox, a vertical gas-chamber communicating at its upper end with the depressed end of the feed-box and at its lower end with the lower part of the generator, a gasometer, and mechanism interposed between the crown of the gasometer and the axle of the feed-wheel to actuate the feed-wheel from the gasometer, substantially as herein set forth.

4:. The combination with a generator for containing water,and a gas-chamber arranged for transmission of carbid of calcium therethrough to the lower part of the generator, of an inclined gas-tight feed-box constructed with a sheet-metal lining and arranged to contain carbid and supply it through thegaschamber to the generator, said gas-tight box also containing means for controlling the feed of carbid intermittently located at its discharge end substantially as described.

5. The combination with a generator for containing water and a gas-chamber arranged for the transmission of carbid of calcium therethrough to the lower part of the'generator, of an inclined gas-tight feed-box for supplying carbid of calcium, a feed-wheel placed at the depressed endof the feed-box,

and a sheet-metal lining within the feed-box extended to the feed-wheel to facilitate the operation thereof in feeding carbid to and through the gas-chamber, substantially as herein set forth.

6. The combination with a generator for containing water and a gas-chamber arranged tuatingsaid mechanism from said crown, substantially as herein set forth.

7. The combination with a generator for containing water, a gas-tight feed-box for supplying carbid, a gas-chamber for transmitting carbid from the feed-box to the lower part of the generator, and a feed mechanism for feeding the carbid, of a gasometer, aservice-pipe, a pipe and cock for withdrawing gas from the gas-chamber to the gasometer preliminary to recharging the feed-box, substantially as herein set forth. 8. The combination with a generator for containing water, a gas-tight feed-box for supplying carbid, a gas-chamber for transmitting carbid from the feed-box to the lower part of the generator, and a feed-wheel for feeding the carbid, of a lining loose in the feed-box and having its lower edge projected into the path of the floats of the feed-wheel, substantiallyas herein set forth.

9. The combination with a generator for containing water, a gas-tight feedbox for supplying carbid, a gas-chamber for transmitting carbid from the feed-box to the lower part of the generator, and a feed-wheel for feeding the carbid, of a sheet-metal lining loose within the feed-box, pivoted to the latter at its end portion remote from the feed wheel and with its bottom at its lower end' projected into the path of the floats of the feed-wheel, substantially as herein set forth.

10., The combination with a generator for containing water, a feed-box for supplying carbid of calcium,agas-chamber for the transmission of carbid from the feed-box to the generator, a feed-wheel for feeding the car bid, and a gasometer for receiving the gas from the generator, of a ratchet-wheel fast upon the axle of the feed-wheel, a secondary sprocket-wheel loose on said axle and having on one face a laterally-extended stud and at the other a pawl which engages with the I ratchet-whee], a loaded sprocket-chain pro: of the gasometer, substantially as herein set vided to said sprocket];1 Wheel, a sprocke'tforth.

Wheel also loose upon 1: e said axle and having a pawl which cooperates with the stud EDWD' TITUS' aforesaid, a loaded sprocket-chain provided Witnesses:

to the said sprocket-wheel, and a strap ex- AMAZIAH WHITNEY,

tended from said sprocket-chain to the crown DANL. S. DECKER. 

